Runners participate in this summer's Wake the Whittler at Loudy-Simpson Park, sponsored by Friends of Moffat County Education. On Saturday, the organization will host the Leaf Cruncher 5K and 1-Mile Family Fun Run for adults and children of all ages.

Craig  This weekend, lace up your running shoes, rouse the kids from their slumber and prepare to get moving for a good cause.

The second annual Leaf Cruncher 5K and 1-Mile Family Fun Run will take place at 8 a.m. Saturday at Loudy-Simpson Park. Besides being a healthy activity for every member of the household, the event also is a fundraiser for Friends of Moffat County Education.

The $20 registration for adults gets each entrant a T-shirt, something that all participating kids younger than 18 get with no fee, and proceeds go toward Friends of Moffat County Education’s numerous efforts to assist with education in the area, such as Passport to Reading, iPads for elementary students and the science labs at Moffat County High School, among other projects.

“The design is to get kids out and participating in wellness,” organization board member Chris Jones said.

Friends of Moffat County Education organized a similar running event last fall, as well as Wake the Whittler, part of Whittle the Wood the past two summers and the Dew Buster during the Moffat County Balloon Festival and BBQ Championships in 2012. Jones said the fleetest of foot this weekend will take home mystery prizes that won’t be revealed until the day of the event.

“For Whittler, we actually gave out carvings to the top runners, and we try to keep our prizes unique to each one, so we’re pretty excited to have some fall prizes this time,” he said.

The Memorial Hospital also will be sponsoring the event, which takes place leading up to National Family Health and Fitness Day on Sept. 28.

Finding a way to promote the day of wellness was perfect, even if it was a week early, TMH Chief of Organizational Excellence Jennifer Riley said.

“It coincided great, and I think it’s great that all the proceeds will be going to Friends of Moffat County Education’s initiatives,” she said.

Jones said the goal for registration is to bring in 200 runners, young and old, who also hopefully will stick around to view the Moffat County High School Cross-Country Invitational immediately after the Fun Run.

“It’s a beautiful course out there. The weather forecast looks great, and it might be the last nice weekend for them to run,” he said.